For homebuyers and homeowners, 2026 has become a year of trade-offs, mounting uncertainty and a nagging question: is now the right time to buy? RBC's latest Home Ownership Poll reveals how Canadians are thinking about the market, where confidence is breaking down and where some prospective buyers are seeing opportunity.

"Rising costs and shifting economic conditions have made every step of the homebuying journey feel higher-stakes, and the pressure of whether to act is weighing on Canadians," said Janet Boyle, Senior Vice President of Home Equity Finance, RBC. "While the barriers to home ownership have always existed, how they look has shifted. What hasn't changed is the importance of knowing what's right for you, and it starts with having an honest conversation with an expert who knows your full financial picture."

Four trends emerged from the data and together they help illustrate where Canadians and prospective buyers stand heading into the second half of 2026:

Trend #1: Canadians are divided on the market and whether to actThe housing market looks different depending on where you live, who you ask and how soon they plan to buy. For prospective buyers, uncertainty hasn't disappeared: it just isn't enough to keep them all on the sidelines. The data shows many are interpreting current conditions as a moment to purchase.

Trend #2: Prospective buyers see the window, but economic uncertainty is weighing on their decision to buyEconomic uncertainty isn't stopping prospective buyers from recognizing the opportunity, but it is clouding their confidence, making an already complex decision harder to navigate.

Among those who intend to buy within two years:

"Many of my clients want to buy a home, but economic uncertainty is making it harder to feel confident about timing," said Brad Evjen, Senior Mortgage Specialist, RBC. "Our focus is to help people understand their options and what they can control, to put a plan into place and to feel as confident as possible when the right opportunity presents itself."

Trend #3: Trade-offs surge as cost of living limits savings among buyersRising costs are cutting into savings before prospective buyers even reach the trade-off stage, with almost three-quarters (71%) of respondents who intend to buy within two years saying inflation is causing them to save less for a home.

Financial trade-offs to reach home ownership have also risen sharply for this group since the start of the year, including the need to:

Among all respondents, 78% believe home ownership requires more sacrifices today than for previous generations and three-quarters (74%) say most buyers will experience some level of financial shock when they purchase their first home.

Trend #4: Uncertainty is part of the journey. The right advisor helps you move through it.Prospective buyers and Canadians approaching mortgage renewal are facing a complex market, and the confidence gap reflects that.

Among those intending to purchase a home within the next two years, fewer than half (49%) feel confident making homebuying decisions in today's market, and only a slim majority (56%) say they have the information they need.

The same gap exists for homeowners who will be renewing their mortgage within the next two years with just 44% saying they feel confident making decisions about their mortgage. At the same time, while 65% believe their household could absorb any rate increase, nearly one-in-five (18%) admit they have not considered what they could afford if rates rise.

Against this backdrop, the appetite for guidance is clear: four-in-five (82%) prospective buyers and homeowners approaching mortgage renewal say expert advice is essential when navigating major home ownership decisions.

"Today, Canadians are being asked to make one of the largest financial decisions of their lives with a lot of unknowns, and it's normal to feel overwhelmed by it," adds Boyle. "But no one should have to navigate that alone. The right information, the right tools and a plan built around your goals can take a lot of that uncertainty off the table."

For buyers navigating today's market, Boyle adds that there are three questions that can help cut through the uncertainty.

RBC resources to help with your homebuying and mortgage renewal journey:

Fast Facts: RBC Home Ownership Poll (Selected Findings)

DisclaimerThis news release is intended as general information only and is not to be relied upon as constituting legal, financial or other professional advice. A professional advisor should be consulted regarding your specific situation. The information presented is believed to be factual and up-to-date but we do not guarantee its accuracy and it should not be regarded as a complete analysis of the subjects discussed. All expressions of opinion reflect the judgment of the authors as of the date of publication and are subject to change. No endorsement of any third parties or their advice, opinions, information, products or services is expressly given or implied by Royal Bank of Canada or any of its affiliates.

About the RBC 2026 Home Ownership PollAn online survey of 1,753 Canadians aged 18 to 64 was completed between April 23 and May 3, 2026, using Leger's online panel. Leger's online panel has approximately 400,000 members nationally and has a retention rate of 90 per cent. No margin of error can be associated with a non-probability sample (i.e. a web panel in this case). For comparative purposes, though, a probability sample of 1753 respondents would have a margin of error of ±2.3%, 19 times out of 20.

About RBCRoyal Bank of Canada is a global financial institution with a purpose-driven, principles-led approach to delivering leading performance. Our success comes from the 101,000+ employees who leverage their imaginations and insights to bring our vision, values and strategy to life so we can help our clients thrive and communities prosper. As Canada's biggest bank and one of the largest in the world, based on market capitalization, we have a diversified business model with a focus on innovation and providing exceptional experiences to our more than 19 million clients in Canada, the U.S. and 27 other countries. Learn more at rbc.com.

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Media contact:Matt Trocchi, RBC

SOURCE RBC Royal Bank

SOURCE: RBC Royal Bank

SOURCE: RBC

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